A geneticist was sentenced to one year of unsupervised release (no jail time) and a $500 fine for supplying bacteria to an artist, linkurl:according to;http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/273792.html the Buffalo News, bringing to an end a well-publicized case that began more than three years ago. Robert Ferrell, based at the University of Pittsburgh, linkurl:pled guilty in October;http://www.the-scientist.com/blog/display/53702/ to a misdemeanor, after he supplied Steven Kurtz with bacteria for use in biotechnology art projects. The men were originally charged with mail and wire fraud in connection with Ferrell's purchase of samples of two common bacteria, Serratia marcescens and Bacillus atrophaeus, for Kurtz. Ferrell and Kurtz were indicted in June, 2004. Over the course of the trial, Ferrell and Kurtz accumulated support from several organizations, including the American Association of University Professors and the American Civil Liberties Union, along with medical researchers. The indictment "is just part of the 'select agent' hysteria," C.J....
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